Public transport is a core issue for many people living in Eastwood.
Both train and bus services are vital for local people to travel further afield whether that be for work, healthcare, leisure or other reasons.
Decisions made by ScotRail and First Bus have caused damage to the availability of public transport for my constituents and this is a matter of concern for me as the local MSP.
I have been in contact with both over reductions to particular train and bus services in Eastwood and stressed the need for better provision on specific routes.
The Glasgow to East Kilbride line covering stops at Thornliebank, Giffnock, Clarkston and Busby is a very important service for many individuals who are resident within the constituency.
I acknowledge and welcome that the train route retains a half-hourly daytime service and with additional services continuing to operate during peak travel times.
Nonetheless, it is a disappointment that under ScotRail’s timetable, trains reduce to one per hour from the 19.47 service for the rest of the evening.
There will be some people who would want or need to begin the journey home not long after 9pm or 10pm and they are not currently able to do so by train due to the absence of a twice-hourly service.
Continuing with a reduced timetable from the 19.47 service means individuals will be inconvenienced by having to choose between a train that is either too early, too late or instead, decide not to venture into Glasgow City Centre at all.
The content of the responses I have received from ScotRail make clear that as matters currently stand, it will be May 2023 at the earliest before the services on offer could increase.
As ScotRail moves into public ownership within days, this needs to be looked at again and with a view to ensuring that a twice per hour service throughout the evening is available for train users in Thornliebank, Giffnock, Clarkston and Busby.
A number of bus services in Eastwood remain at a reduced level following a decision of First Bus to temporarily scale back services in August 2021 because of driver shortages attributed to the pandemic including the 4A bus route in Eaglesham.
The changes to the 4A meant that off-peak services between Monday and Saturday reduced from two buses per hour to just the one.
Eaglesham has been negatively impacted by service alterations in the past with the previous removal of the Polnoon Street and Montgomery Street legs from the bus route.
Despite the challenges experienced by First Bus, the company have recently announced improvements to a range of services in the Greater Glasgow region but Eastwood was not included.
I have made clear my frustration to First Bus at the exclusion of the constituency and it vital that progress is made on returning provision in Eaglesham to a position that is closer to the previous timetable in the next round of bus service improvements.
Public transport is essential for Eastwood and I will continue to argue for improved bus and train services locally.